mitt romney is picking up a significant endorsement in south carolina today. one that could help boost his standing with tea party republicans who continue to question his conservative credentials. romney now has the backing of governor nikki hailey, who herself was propelled into office with tea party support. can she convince those same tea party voters to back mitt romney? joe johns is joining us now. this is a huge day for mitt romney. tell us what we know. mitt romney continued to get a bunch of big endorsements. this goes up on the top shelf. republicans of south carolina have been telling the romney organization to make more of a play for voters in the state and stop acting like there s no way he can win there. the nikki hailey endorsement suggesting the romney camp is responding. the nomination race in the early state of south carolina, the first primary in the south, just got interesting. nikki hailey endorsing mitt romney for president. today is the day i m thro